By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD — Safford-based artist Mario Fuentes has officially advanced past the ultra-competitive “top five” cutoff and is currently sitting in 1st place in his group for the Johnny Depp Presents The People’s Artist competition.
With the finish line for this round rapidly approaching, the Gila Valley has a unique opportunity to help propel a local talent onto the international stage. Voting for the Group Finalists is set to close this Thursday, June 11, at 7 p.m. PDT.
The stakes for the competition are monumental. The ultimate grand prize winner will be featured in Artforum Magazine, take home a life-changing $25,000 cash prize, and earn the prestigious opportunity to display their work at The Art of Elysium’s Salon. If he wins, Fuentes has stated he hopes to use the $25,000 to open his own art studio to showcase his work and lift up other local artists in the community.
From the Copper Mine to Custom Canvas
Fuentes, who was raised in Willcox and moved to Safford after the COVID-19 pandemic to assist his mother, balances his rising art career with a demanding night job as a haul-truck driver for Freeport-McMoRan.
Despite his busy schedule, his dedication to his craft has never wavered. Creating art since the age of 5, Fuentes rejects modern digital shortcuts. He creates custom, high-contrast portraits and freehand art entirely from his mind, utilizing only watercolor paper and markers. His highly detailed, vibrant pieces—often measuring 13 by 19 inches—require six to eight hours of intense, uninterrupted focus to complete.
While much of his private work consists of deeply personal, sentimental memorial portraits for clients, his public portfolio features striking, high-contrast original pieces that draw inspiration from nature, wildlife, and human emotion.
How to Vote
The nationwide competition is powered by Colossal and serves as a fundraiser for The Art of Elysium, a nonprofit public charity that uses art as a catalyst to help individuals overcome difficult life challenges, including children facing serious medical conditions.
Supporters can cast one free vote every day to keep Fuentes in the top spot. For those looking to make a bigger impact, additional votes can be purchased via donations that directly benefit the charity’s mission.
To cast your ballot and support a local artist on a national stage, visit the official voting page. Right now, free votes are doubled for a limited time. Vote for Mario Fuentes here.
